I have been wondering about this for some time. What does Buddha say about charity works? Is this something that he would suggest that we do or not? This is the idea that we spend time helping others out of their poverty or helping a group of people to better their life through education or health.

Caring for and helping others is very much supported by the Buddha. Although in Buddhism its not what you give, its the nature of the gift. A small gift given selflessly is better than a large gift given selfishly.

"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."

Well I guess it would be a gift given with a pure heart. Its hard to state the specifics, but basically a gift given out of a geniune wish to make other beings well and happy, rather than a gift to get your name on a plaque on the wall.

"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."

And don't forget the quality of the merit generated is directly related to the spiritual development of the receiver. Other than that though, the Lord Buddha advised us to give where we feel inspired. Simple as that. May you be well, happy and peaceful!

To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.-Dhp. 183

Well I guess it would be a gift given with a pure heart. Its hard to state the specifics, but basically a gift given out of a geniune wish to make other beings well and happy, rather than a gift to get your name on a plaque on the wall.

If you had listened to the award show you would know that these individuals did it not for a plaque, which they did not expect, but out of love for mankind. They were all very humble in accepting the gift.

fragrant herbs wrote:If you had listened to the award show you would know that these individuals did it not for a plaque, which they did not expect, but out of love for mankind. They were all very humble in accepting the gift.

Sorry I wasn't commenting on the show (I had not seen it) just merely providing an explaination for you. I don't doubt the intentions of the people on that show.

"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."

The welfare of oneself should not be neglected for the welfare of others, however great; recognizing the welfare of oneself, one should be devoted to one's own welfare. (Dhammapada 166)

How do you understand this teaching?

Hello Boris,

This is what it means:

STRIVE FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL WELFARE10. For the sake of others' welfare, however great, let not one neglect one's own welfare.3Clearly perceiving one's own welfare, let one be intent on one's own goal. 166.StoryAs the Buddha was about to pass away His disciples flocked from far and near to pay their last respects to Him. A monk named Attadattha instead of joining them, retired to his cell and meditated. The other monks reported this matter to the Buddha. When questioned as to his conduct. the monk replied. "Lord, as you would be passing away three months hence I thought the best way to honour you would be by attaining Arahantship during your lifetime itself." The Buddha praised him for his exemplary conduct and remarked that one's spiritual welfare should not be abandoned for the sake of others.

3 Here "welfare" denotes one's ultimate goal, i.e., Nibbàna. Personal sanctification should not be sacrificed for the sake of external homage.One must not misunderstand this verse to mean that one should not selflessly work for the weal of others. Selfless service is highly commended by the Buddha.http://home.nethere.net/dsparks/narada/ ... 0Vagga.htm

mettaChris

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

Thank you Chris for your contribution containing Narada Thera's translation and story behind the Dhammapada verse.metta

Ben

“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.” - Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:in mountain clefts and chasms,loud gush the streamlets,but great rivers flow silently.- Sutta Nipata 3.725

I presume he just means "selfless" in the normal sense of the word: doing things without expecting personal gain.

That is to help others before I can really help them. Of course doing things without expecting personal gain is very praiseworthy, however under delusion of self we cannot help much. Only on very gross level.

The man who wants to avoid grotesque collapses should not look for anything to fulfill him in space and time.

As long as this "delusion of self" is not used as an excuse to be detached. Generosity is the first step towards reducing the sense of self.

You study Dhamma and I study Dhamma. However I have impression that we study not only different Suttas in Pali Canan, but rather that you are Mahayana follower. If this is so, you should know that detachment is prised by The Buddha much more often then generosity, not to speak about social service which is just criticised in Suttas, monks should try to avoided it:

"Ananda, a monk does not shine if he delights in company, enjoys company, is committed to delighting in company; if he delights in a group, enjoys a group, rejoices in a group. Indeed, Ananda, it is impossible that a monk who delights in company, enjoys company, is committed to delighting in company; who delights in a group, enjoys a group, rejoices in a group, will obtain at will — without difficulty, without trouble — the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of self-awakening.

M 122

The man who wants to avoid grotesque collapses should not look for anything to fulfill him in space and time.

boris wrote:You study Dhamma and I study Dhamma. However I have impression that we study not only different Suttas in Pali Canan, but rather that you are Mahayana follower.

Well, you'd be completely mistaken.

boris wrote: If this is so, you should know that detachment is prised by The Buddha much more often then generosity, not to speak about social service which is just criticised in Suttas, monks should try to avoided it:

"Cunda, it is impossible that one who is himself sunk in the mire should pull out another who is sunk in the mire. But it is possible, Cunda, that one not sunk in the mire himself should pull out another who is sunk in the mire.

"It is not possible, Cunda, that one who is himself not restrained, not disciplined and not quenched [as to his passions should make others restrained and disciplined, should make them attain to the full quenching [of passions] But it is possible, Cunda, that one who is himself restrained, disciplined and fully quenched [as to his passions] should make others restrained and disciplined, should make them attain to the full quenching [of passions]. Even so, Cunda:26

M8

Generosity OK: However, in order to help others right view is necessary . You have a good kamma now, you are human being and who knows? Maybe you were generous last 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 lives? But by only generosity and social service you will continue like this into infinite.Interesting question is, when 'self" as separate entity disappears how others can remain?

PS I am sorry I suspected you to follow bodhisattva path.

The man who wants to avoid grotesque collapses should not look for anything to fulfill him in space and time.

++++++++++++++++This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

There is freedom from birth, freedom from becoming, freedom from making, freedom from conditioning. If there were not this freedom from birth, freedom from becoming, freedom from making, freedom from conditioning, then escape from that which is birth, becoming, making, conditioning, would not be known here. -- Ud 80

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireas na daoine.People live in one another’s shelter.